HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.262 2024-2026From: Ad Patz
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2025 11:46 AM o C-,
To: Council Testimony CDC-)
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Subject: Bill 83 Testimony in Support of a Plastic Free Hawaii Island � =�
Aloha Council -members, n
I am writing to express my strong support for Bill83, which will ban single -use plastics such a&pups-::'
forks, and straws in Hawaii County. C)
The elimination or limitation of plastics is paramount for several reasons:
Threat to Marine Life and Oceans:
Plastic litter poses a severe threat to our oceans. Approximately 40% of plastic produced annually is
disposable packaging, often used for mere minutes before being discarded. Due to inadequate global
waste disposal and recycling systems, much of this plastic becomes litter. An estimated 80% of ocean
Litter originates on land, with 60-90% of this being plastic waste. Despite 94% of people in the United
States having access to plastic recycling, less than 25% of plastics are actually recycled.
Once in the ocean, plastics accumulate in vast garbage patches, such as the Great Pacific Garbage
Patch, which is estimated to contain 1.8 trillion plastic pieces —equivalent to 250 pieces of debris for
every person on the planet. This plastic persists indefinitely, causing physical harm and releasing toxic
substances that impact marine life. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
reports that plastic debris kills an estimated 100,000 marine mammals and millions of birds and fish
annually through entanglement and ingestion.
Even more challenging are microplastics, tiny particles formed by the breakdown of plastic that are
invisible to the naked eye. Marine birds, fish, and sea turtles often mistake these microplastics for food,
Leading to toxicity and a false sense of fullness that can result in starvation.
Toxicity in the Food Chain:
In marine environments, plastic absorbs persistent organic pollutants, becoming increasingly toxic over
time. Plastic packaging contains various additives like water repellents, flame retardants, bisphenolA
(BPA), and phthalates, which can leach into the surroundings. These chemicals concentrate in marine
food chains and bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of creatures that consume them, increasing in
concentration with each trophic level. Microplastics have been found in seafood and humans, and as
they fragment into nanoplastics, they can penetrate cells, tissues, and organs, even reaching human
brain tissue.
Plastics and Human Health:
The chemicals in plastics are linked to various health problems; including cancer, endocrine disruption,
reproductive issues, and cardiovascular disease. Phthalates and BPA can interfere with hormones, while
microplastics can cause inflammation and have been associated with an increased risk of heart attack
and stroke. Vulnerable populations, especially children, face particularly high risks during eQv�elopment.
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Specific impacts on human health include:
-Endocrine disruption
Chemicals like BPA and phthalates act as endocrine -disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interferingwith
hormones crucial for growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
- Cardiovascular problems
Exposure to EDCs is linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease. A study published in *The
New England Journal of Medicine* found a significantly higher risk of heart attack or stroke in patients
with microplastics in their arterial plaque.
-Reproductive and developmental issues
EDCs are associated with reduced sperm counts, infertility, premature puberty, and neurological,
cognitive, and developmentaldisorders when exposure occurs during development.
-Cancer
Certain carcinogenic chemicals found in plastics can contaminate tap water, food, and air, particularly
near plastic manufacturing facilities.
-Metabolic changes
Some plastic chemicals, known as "obesogens," can increase fat deposits and cause inflammation,
contributing to obesity and diabetes.
-Other issues
Studies suggest a link between microplastics and inflammation, heart attacks, and reproductive
problems.
Exposure to these harmful substances occurs through:
-Ingestion
Microplastics can be ingested through contaminated food and drinking water.
-Inhalation
Breathing air polluted by plastic manufacturing plants can lead to cancer and respiratory and
reproductive problems.
-Chemical leabhing-
Chemicals can leach from plastic products into food and water, and from landfills into surrounding
water supplies.
-Food chain
Toxins and microplastics accumulate in marine life and transfer up the food chain to humans.
At -risk populations include:
-Children and developing fetuses
Their brains and bodies are especially sensitive to EDCs during critical developmental stages.
-Low-income communities and communities of color
These communities often experience disproportionate exposure to toxins due to their proximityto
petrochemical facilities.
The Unsustainable Future of Plastics:
Petroleum -based plastics extensively pollute our planet. When plastics end up in landfills or
incinerators, they don't disappear. Debris escapes onto roadways, contributing over 19% of roadside
waste, accordingto Keep America Beautiful. These plastics travel vast distances through air and water,
ultimately becoming ocean pollution, with over 80% originatingfrom land.
For decades, recycling has been promoted as the primary solution. However, the explosion in multi -layer
packaging, single -use plastics, and cardboard has overwhelmed global recycling.systems. Increasingly,
plastic is not properly recycled; instead, it becomes litter, ocean pollution, or particulate matter during
incineration.
Plastic's Low Recycling Rates:
Recycling plastic is difficult and costly due to the variety of plastic types and the complex processes of
collection, baling, transportation, sorting, and washing. Neither private nor public agencies are
adequately investing in systems to improve plastic recycling rates.
Even PET, the most easily recyclable plastic, has a recycling rate of only 25%. PET is rarely recycled in a
fully closed -loop manner; instead, it is often "downcycled" into products with higher impurity tolerances,
such as carpet fibers or comforter filler. Furthermore, 5-12% of recycled materials escape facilities,
contributing to environmental contamination.
Commingled recycling programs, which combine plastic, glass, metals, and paper, often have
contamination rates as high as 25% decreasingthe value of them.
A Growing Portion of Landfills:
Plastic has become a rapidly growing component of U.S. garbage, increasing from less than 1% of
municipal solid waste in 1960 to 18.5%today. Containers and packaging alone accountfor 29.7% of
waste, or over 76 million tons.
While modern landfills are designed with protective liners, chemicals and gases can eventually pass
through these barriers as plastic tubes become brittle and break down, making leaks inevitable. These
leaks can introduce hazardous chemicals into local groundwater as leachate.
Releasing Toxins During Incineration:
The EPA reports that about 15% of municipal plastic waste is incinerated. Without tightly controlled,
high -temperature conditions, burning plastic releases over 90 different compounds into the atmosphere,
including dioxins, dangerous chlorine -based chemicals, and styrene -based toxins. Exposure to these
toxins can cause skin diseases, reproductive and developmental problems, immune system damage,
Liver damage, and cancer.
Restrictions on Imported Recycling:
Historically, much of the world's waste paper, metals, and used plastic was sent to China. However, in
2017, China banned incoming waste materials, including mixed plastics, to curb its pollution. This ban,
coupled with a strict 0.5% contamination limit in 2018, has left waste management companies with
fewer markets for recyclables. As a result, many U.S. communities no longer accept mixed plastics in
their recycling programs.
While recycling will continue, we must be more intelligent about which materials are recycled. Plastic
covered in food waste is challenging to recycle, making it unsuitable for food serviceware. Plant -fiber
containers, conversely; can be composted along with food waste, supporting local composting facilities.
The "One Bin Solution" with Compostable Products:
Transitioning to compostable products simplifies waste disposal and transforms waste into a valuable
resource. Kitchen scraps, uneaten foods, and compostable products can all be placed in a single bin for
composting, yielding rich soil for farming, ranching, and aquifer health. When compostable products
become the norm, as much as 60% of Hawaii's waste will be compostable.
Resiliency Through Composting:
Compost offers numerous benefits for soil enhancement, leading to:
- Increased carbon and nitrogen sequestration and improved soil structure.
- Stronger soilthat enhances watershed lands and aquifer health.
- Healthier lands that reduce risks of floods, fires, and landslides.
-A local system for producing fertilizer and soil amendments, fostering self-sufficiency and reducing
imports.
-The creation of local green jobs through the development of composting infrastructure.
- Reduced risks associated with incineration facilities and landfills, extending the capacity of existing
landfills by 50%.
To begin solvingthe problems of marine litter and the impacts of plastics to human health, we must
rapidly move away from disposable, petroleum -based plastics. Individuals, organizations, governments,
and communities can pledge to eliminate single -use plastics and adopt reusable or compostable
alternatives.
Sincerely,
Ari Patz
An advocate for our environment and the elimination of single use plastics in Hawaii since 2006